Motherhood Empowered by the Holy Spirit

(v26) "Her teachings are filled with wisdom and kindness as loving instructions pours from her lips. (v27) She watches over the ways of her household and meets every need they have." (Proverbs 31:26-27 TPT)

     To be a mother is not just a gift given from God to birth offspring, and to have a child that carries your DNA. It is so much more, it is a holy calling to raise, nurture, teach, discipline, empower, protect, provide safety, comfort, wisdom, understanding all through the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love. In order for us mothers to be able to extend love, we must first know love. In the bible we read, "God is love"( 1 John 4:7-8). As we abide in God, God permeates us with his nature, and character. As we submit to God, his Word, his Spirit of Council, we become more like Him, and less like our the sinful flesh. Every day we have the privilege to represent Our Savior Jesus in our homes and towards our family. For children, parents are the first introduction to God. Through our actions, and through our words we have the opportunity to represent Him. As the children grow, we can began to introduce our faith through a theological explanation giving them the ability to understand why we follow Jesus. Motherhood comes with labor, serving is necessary and vital for children to develop healthy minds, healthy bodies and healthy spirits. From  the time a baby is born, mothers began feeding, changing, washing, clothing, holding, soothing, comforting the baby, this requires sacrifice. A mother now begins to give up time to do other things for time to tend to child. As the infant begins to develop the mothers begins to teach language, instruct mannerism, build the child's skill set, encourage independency, etc. No matter what age your child or children are a mother's presence, words and actions hold impact. This is labor, but a labor of love if and when you ask God to fill you with his strength to mother. I purposefully will awake earlier than the children just to spend time with the Lord by reading His Word, and  asking Him to fill me up so that I can overflow. Parents cannot overflow from an empty cup. We need Jesus, the living water to fill us so we can become a well.

       It's important to not allow selfishness to discourage you from tending to your children, your husband, and your home. Discouragement and lack of love cause many women's hearts to grow faint in motherhood. Many women in America today don't find fulfillment in the holy calling of motherhood, because they are looking for self-gratification somewhere else outside of the home. For Christian parents, home should become our first ministry. We should look at each day as an opportunity to advance God's kingdom through our labor. We should look for ways to serve one another as an act of worship and offering unto God. Parents must become intentional to raise children in the ways of God, if not the world will raise our children.

[Ask yourself: Do my words and actions represent God?

Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through me?]

      Some ways my husband and I have created an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to come into our home and inspire godly parenting is by,

A. Daily husband and wife devotional time ( a.k.a bible study)

B. Daily prayer as a couple, and prayer as a family

C. Putting worship music on in the house as often as possible

D. Taking communion as a family (weekly)

E. Prioritize church to grow in God (several times a week)

F. Read bible stories with the children & prayer before bed

G. Disciple then Discipline (W.W.J.D?)

H. Engage with conversations that are centered around God

In John 10 :11 it says, " I am the Good Shepperd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep. " Today, I encourage you to become like Jesus, willing to lay your life down for your children, for your marriage, and for your family. Becoming a servant is the highest calling of all. It's a holy calling, and God purposed us for this.